UNEMPLOYED youngsters across Birmingham and Solihull are set to be offered paid work placements through a new pilot programme.
The Jobs Guarantee programme aims to help those aged between 18 and 21 who have been on Universal Credit and unemployed for 18 months or more into sustainable employment.
The West Midlands is one of five pilot sites, with the scheme also being rolled out in Manchester, Hertfordshire/Essex, South Wales, and Scotland chosen by the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) to trial the scheme.
In the West Midlands, Catch22 will support 275 young people into fully subsidised six-month work placements with local employers.
The young people will be referred directly into the programme and supported into employment opportunities that build skills, confidence and long-term prospects by Jobcentre Plus.
Through the programme, young people will receive two weeks of intensive pre-placement support, followed by ongoing in-work wraparound from a dedicated Career Coach.
They can also access a £300 bursary, and specialist mental health support to help them to sustain in work.
For employers, Jobs Guarantee: West Midlands offers a route to filling vacancies, with funded roles within scheme limits and support from Catch22 and partners to guide employers through the process.
Catch22 will deliver the pilot in partnership with Supplytrain CIC, who bring experience of employer engagement from the Kickstart programme, and West Midlands employment charity Sport 4 Life UK, strengthening local delivery and routes into work.
Catch22 strategic director for Employability and Skills, Victoria Head said: “Too many young people are facing long-term unemployment in the current job market, and the longer that gap lasts the harder it becomes to get a foot in the door.
“The Jobs Guarantee programme combines real, paid opportunities with the right wraparound support for each young person, helping them to build the confidence, skills and experience that employers value.
“We’re proud to be delivering the Birmingham and Solihull pilot with our partners, in collaboration with Jobcentre Plus, and are looking forward to working with local employers to open up high-quality placements that lead to sustained jobs.”
Nick Cheese, operations manager at Sport 4 Life UK, added: “We are proud to partner with Catch22 as part of the Youth Jobs Guarantee. With the youth claimant rate in Birmingham currently at double the UK national average, it is more crucial than ever that all organisations have a responsibility to work together to tackle this growing issue.
“We are committed to creating a powerful support system for young people in Birmingham and Solihull to ensure that those that are furthest from the job market don’t just find a job, but gain the skills and resilience needed to build a sustainable career.”
Young person referrals can be made through Jobcentre Plus in the coming weeks.
